Census categories, the Bakke case and reparations

Vol. 85, No. 14, September 30, 1977. 8 pages. View this issue

The 1980 Census and the Bakke case led the news. The Census Bureau tentatively decided to drop the broad “Asian or Pacific Islander” category, and groups were urged to write officials to have specific backgrounds listed instead. Frank A. Iwama explained why JACL supported the University of California’s admissions program in the Bakke case, and a JACL forum on its impact was announced for October 5 in Los Angeles. Harry Honda reported that the JACL executive committee approved Project 47 to organize the reparations effort, while Ken Hayashi wrote a letter urging faster action.

Also inside: the settlement of John Yoshino’s job-bias case, with a column by Wayne Horiuchi. The Union of Pan Asian Communities asked NBC for an apology over a racial slur on a Tonight Show taping. Bill Hosokawa wrote about anti-Arab stereotyping, Kaz Horita described a Tacoma school reunion, and Sachi Seko looked back on childhood.

What’s in this issue

National

• Census Bureau plans to drop ‘Asian or Pacific Islander’ category from 1980 census, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Census Bureau tentatively decided to drop the broad Asian or Pacific Islander category from the 1980 race question, as announced to the Asian Volunteer Action Center by Sen. Daniel Inouye. Groups are urged to write officials to have specific racial backgrounds listed instead.
• Apology asked for slur by ‘Tonight Show’ guest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Union of Pan Asian Communities protested racial nicknames used on a Tonight Show taping hosted by George Carlin, including a joke about ‘Give a Jap a Slap in the Yap.’ UPAC demanded a public apology from NBC producers.
• UC Davis winning war of briefs in Bakke case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dozens of organizations have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in the Bakke case, with the University of California’s side drawing far more support. Briefs for Bakke came from a smaller group including several conservative and ethnic organizations.
• Sen. Inouye backs Panama Canal pact, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sen. Daniel Inouye announced support for ratifying the Panama Canal treaties despite constituent mail running strongly against them. He argued the treaty corrects an unsavory chapter in American diplomacy.

JACL

• JACL forum on Bakke decision, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A JACL forum on the impact of the Bakke decision on Asian Americans is scheduled for October 5 at Little Tokyo Towers in Los Angeles. Panelists include Regent Yori Wada and Judge Robert Takasugi.
• JACL governors name Kawamoto, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mits Kawamoto of Omaha was elected representative of the District Governors Caucus in a runoff ballot. He succeeded Gerrold Mukai before the Sept. 17-18 EXECOM meeting.
• EXECOM looks at reparations, by Harry Honda, page 1. The JACL National Executive Committee approved a staff proposal called Project 47 to organize the reparations effort after the Sacramento convention. Various districts have conducted reparations surveys while leaders debated which plan to adopt.

Military & Veterans

• Yoshino job-bias case settled out of court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The employment discrimination case of John Yoshino, a Federal Highway Administration specialist, was settled out of court with a cash award, fees, and a step increase. Yoshino withdrew his GS-15 promotion application as part of the settlement.

Community

• San Jose Bicentennial Plaza’s ‘English only’ rule reversed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose JACL chapter threatened to boycott the Bicentennial Plaza tiles after learning only English would be allowed. The commission reversed the rule, allowing tiles in any language.
• E-1 visa student privilege in other states encouraged, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Pacific Northwest JACL governor Edward Yamamoto urged other chapters to push for laws like Washington’s, which let E-1 visa nonimmigrant aliens attend state universities as residents. The law was sponsored by State Sen. Nat Washington and passed in May-June.
• Tacoma reunion—one man’s view, by Kaz Horita, page 3. JACL board member Kaz Horita recounts attending the first reunion of pre-World War II Japanese American students from the Tacoma Japanese School. He describes the banquet honoring the language school teachers and nostalgic reunion activities.
• Yoshino case settlement, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 5. Washington JACL representative Wayne Horiuchi reports on the settlement of John Yoshino’s employment discrimination case. He praises Yoshino’s courage and says the JACL will establish an employment discrimination committee led by Tom Taketa.
• Multi-ethnic senior housing funded, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Multi-Ethnic Housing Corp. in Salt Lake City received a $2,367,000 HUD reservation for a 100-unit senior citizen housing project. The project will be built at the Multi-Ethnic Center developed by a minority coalition.

Commentary

• A Landmark Decision, by Frank A. Iwama, page 4. JACL legal counsel Frank Iwama explains JACL’s support of the University of California’s special admissions program in the Bakke case. He argues that affirmative efforts to increase opportunity for disadvantaged minorities are consistent with JACL’s commitment to equal rights.
• Bakke Case, by Aileen Yagade, page 4. Letter writer Aileen Yagade argues the term reverse discrimination distorts the Bakke case, since Third World people have historically been excluded from decision-making. She contends the Supreme Court decision will affect employment and social service programs.
• Reparations, by Ken Hayashi, page 4. Letter writer Ken Hayashi expresses frustration at JACL’s lack of action on reparations despite it being top priority at each national convention. He criticizes Nikkei leaders who oppose the reparations concept.
• Down to Earth: Japan-United States Friendship Act, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 4. Karl Nobuyuki criticizes the Japan-United States Friendship Act commission for failing to include enough Nikkei expertise and grassroots education. He argues that at least half its members should be Nikkei.
• Plain Speaking: Yoshino Case Settled, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 5. Wayne Horiuchi reports that the John Yoshino case has concluded with a substantial settlement after several appeals. He says the case will serve as a symbol for Asian Americans facing subtle discrimination.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa examines a letter from Mary Bisharat of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates about growing anti-Arab stereotyping in American media and schools. He draws parallels to the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
• When We Were Kids, by Sachi Seko, page 5. Sachi Seko recalls growing up with her brother John, who received special privileges as the only son in a traditional Japanese family. She describes sibling rivalries and how the girls learned about gender discrimination at home.

In-Depth

• Of Time and Distance, by Barry Saiki, page 8. Barry Saiki examines how time and distance shape misunderstanding between nations and communities. He traces Issei immigration and how Japan and the United States have both changed in the decades since.

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